In November of 2018, investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office obtained DNA and other evidence that proved Cook committed sexual battery against a 15-year-old and held her against her will.

Later, investigators and officers with the Florence Police Department, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, and SLED worked to build a base against Cook after his crime spree through downtown Florence in December of 2018.

At that time, Cook carjacked someone at gunpoint, fired a weapon at an employee in the Xpress Convenience Store after trying to rob it, fired a weapon at an officer in the parking lot of the Tiger Mart, and then threatened to kill an employee after holding her and others at gunpoint at the Family Dollar.